Massachusetts's most popular baby names in 1979

In 1979, the state of Massachusetts saw a surge in baby names that are still popular today. For baby girls, Jennifer was the most popular name followed by Melissa and Jessica. These names have remained popular over the years and continue to be a top choice for parents.

For baby boys, Michael was the most popular name followed by Christopher and Matthew. These names have also stood the test of time and are still commonly used today. It's interesting to see how these names have remained popular for over four decades and continue to be a favorite among parents in Massachusetts and beyond.

Most popular baby girl names in Massachusetts in 1979

In Massachusetts in 1979, the most popular baby girl name was Jennifer, with 1511 babies given that name. Following Jennifer were Melissa with 1008, Jessica with 818, Sarah with 639, and Nicole with 570. These five names were the most popular choices for parents of baby girls in Massachusetts that year.

Jennifer

1511 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Jennifer
The name Jennifer is of Welsh origin and means "fair and smooth". It was first used as a given name in the United States in the 20th century and became very popular in the 1970s and 1980s.
Melissa

1008 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Melissa
The name Melissa is derived from the Greek word "melissa," which means "honey bee." It was a popular name in ancient Greece and is often associated with sweetness and industriousness.
Jessica

818 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Jessica
The name Jessica is of Hebrew origin and means "God beholds" or "God sees". It is derived from the name Yiskah in the Old Testament, which was the name of a daughter of Haran and sister of Milcah and Iscah. The name Jessica has been in use since the 16th century and became popular in the 20th century.
Sarah

639 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Sarah
The name Sarah means "princess" in Hebrew. It is a popular name in many cultures and is often associated with grace, beauty, and kindness.
Nicole

570 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Nicole
Nicole is a feminine given name of Greek origin, meaning "victory of the people". It is a popular name in English-speaking countries and has been in use since the 1930s.
Michelle
560 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Michelle
Michelle is a feminine given name of French origin. The name means "who is like God" or "gift from God." It is a variation of the name Michael, which comes from Hebrew and means "who is like God." The name Michelle has been used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century and has gained popularity over time.
Amy
546 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Amy
The name Amy means "beloved" or "dearly loved" in French and Latin. It is a popular name for girls and has been used since the Middle Ages.
Elizabeth
542 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Elizabeth
Elizabeth is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my oath" or "my God is abundance". It is a name that has been popular for centuries and has been borne by many notable figures in history and literature.
Lisa
502 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Lisa
The name Lisa is a short form of the name Elizabeth and means "God is my oath" or "pledged to God".
Heather
474 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Heather
The name Heather is of English origin and is derived from the name of a flowering plant that grows in Scotland. The name is often associated with the color purple and is said to symbolize admiration, good luck, and protection.
Kelly
447 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Kelly
The name Kelly is of Irish origin and means "bright-headed" or "warrior". It is a unisex name, meaning it can be given to both boys and girls. The name has been popularized by its use as a surname and has been used as a given name since the 20th century.
Amanda
422 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Amanda
The name Amanda is of Latin origin, meaning "lovable" or "worthy of love". It was first used as a name in the 17th century and became popular in the 19th century. The name is often associated with kindness, compassion, and a friendly personality.
Erin
407 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Erin
The name Erin is of Irish origin and means "peace" or "Ireland". It is a unisex name, but more commonly used for girls.
Kimberly
353 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Kimberly
The name Kimberly means "from the wood of the royal forest" or "royal fortress meadow". It is of Old English origin and was first used as a given name in the 1940s.
Stephanie
351 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Stephanie
The name Stephanie is of Greek origin and means "crown" or "garland". It is a feminine name that has been popular in English-speaking countries since the 20th century.
Christine
350 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Christine
The name Christine is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ".
Rebecca
349 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Rebecca
Rebecca means "captivating" or "knotted cord" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name, borne by the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau in the Old Testament.
Christina
342 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Christina
The name Christina is of Greek origin and means "follower of Christ". It is a feminine name and is commonly used in English-speaking countries.
Danielle
323 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Danielle
The name Danielle is a feminine name of Hebrew origin, meaning "God is my judge".
Lauren
319 baby girls born in Massachusetts (1979) named Lauren
The name Lauren is of English origin and means "bay laurel" or "crowned with laurel". It is a feminine name that has been popular since the 1940s.

Most popular baby boy names in Massachusetts in 1979

In Massachusetts in 1979, the most popular baby boy name was Michael, with 2113 babies given that name. Following Michael were Christopher with 1228 babies, Matthew with 1149 babies, David with 1113 babies, and Jason with 1068 babies. These five names were the most popular for baby boys born in Massachusetts in 1979.

Michael

2113 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Michael
The name Michael means "Who is like God?" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name that is often associated with the archangel Michael, who is considered to be a protector and warrior in many religious traditions. The name has been popular throughout history and is still commonly used today.
Christopher

1228 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Christopher
The name Christopher means "bearer of Christ" or "Christ-bearer."
Matthew

1149 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Matthew
Matthew is a name of Hebrew origin that means "gift of God".
David

1113 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named David
The name David is of Hebrew origin and means "beloved" or "friend". It is a popular name in many cultures and religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In the Bible, David was the second king of Israel and is known for his bravery, leadership, and devotion to God. People with the name David are often described as confident, charismatic, and loyal.
Jason

1068 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Jason
The name Jason is of Greek origin and means "healer" or "to heal".
John
945 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named John
The name John is of Hebrew origin and means "God is gracious". It is a very common name and has been used for centuries. People with this name are often known for their kindness and generosity.
Brian
867 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Brian
The name Brian is of Irish origin and means "strong, virtuous, and honorable". It is a popular name for boys in Ireland and has been used in English-speaking countries since the Middle Ages.
Daniel
852 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Daniel
The name Daniel means "God is my judge".
James
815 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named James
The name James is of Hebrew origin and means "supplanter" or "one who follows".
Robert
814 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Robert
The name Robert means "bright fame" or "famous brilliance". It is of Old German origin and was a popular name among medieval kings and nobility.
Joseph
778 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Joseph
The name Joseph is of Hebrew origin and means "God will increase".
Andrew
569 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Andrew
The name Andrew means "manly" or "warrior" and is of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek name Andreas, which comes from the word "andrós" meaning "man". Andrew is a popular name in many English-speaking countries and is often used in Christian traditions due to the apostle Andrew being one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ.
Jeffrey
568 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Jeffrey
The name Jeffrey is of Germanic origin and means "peaceful pledge". It is a variant of the name Geoffrey.
William
562 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named William
The name William means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior". It is of Germanic origin and has been a popular name throughout history.
Kevin
561 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Kevin
The name Kevin is of Irish origin and means "handsome" or "gentle birth". It is derived from the Irish name Caoimhín, which is composed of the Gaelic words "caomh" meaning "kind" or "gentle" and "gin" meaning "birth".
Nicholas
550 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Nicholas
The name Nicholas is derived from the Greek name Νικόλαος (Nikolaos), which means "victory of the people". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures, and is often associated with Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children, sailors, and merchants.
Joshua
533 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Joshua
The name Joshua means "God is salvation" or "Yahweh is salvation" in Hebrew. It is a biblical name and was the name of one of the twelve spies sent by Moses into Canaan. Joshua later became the successor to Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Eric
524 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Eric
The name Eric is of Scandinavian origin and means "eternal ruler" or "ruler of all". It is a popular name in many countries and cultures.
Timothy
509 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Timothy
The name Timothy is of Greek origin and means "honoring God" or "one who honors God". It is derived from the Greek name Timotheos, which is a combination of the words "timao" meaning to honor and "theos" meaning God.
Adam
507 baby boys born in Massachusetts (1979) named Adam
The name Adam is of Hebrew origin and means "man" or "earth". It is also the name of the first man created by God in the Bible.